Most crimes which are committed in houses are committed against the inhabitants of the houses. Some crimes, however, are committed against the houses themselves.

One such crime is the crime of arson. Elgin B. Whidley was an accomplished and prolific arson. The success of his work could be measured in ashes and smoke throughout the entirety of Merrie Olde England. Arson is one of the purer crimes, as crimes go. The faithful arsonist doesn't do it for the money or the fame, but for the pure joy of watching buildings go up in smoke. Of all arsonists, Elgin was the purest.

But, as comes so often in the life of common criminals, there came a day when Elgin made a dreadful mistake.

He set his sights on a Sure-Lock home. The planning was meticulous, and the crime went off without a hitch. Elgin silently mingled with the onlookers and watch the house succumb to the flames.

Elgin went home and slept soundly, pleased at the success of his work.

Two weeks later a man stumbled through the streets of London, flames leaping from his back. He ran and ran until he collapsed. The flames continued licking at his body until nothing was left but ashes.

Elgin B. Whidley was never heard from again.

No explanation was ever given.

Photo by Binyamin Mellish on Pexels.com

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